Winding machine



y 4, 1967 J. P. KIERONSKI 3,

WINDING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 12, 1962 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 300 III FIG. I

INVENTOR JOHN F? KIERONSKI ATTORNEY July 4, 1967 J. P. KIERONSKI WINDING MACHINE l4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Oct. 12, 1962 INVENTOR. JOHN P. KIERONSKI ATTORNEY July 4, 1967 J. P. KIERONSKI 3,329,362

WINDING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 12, 1962 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 6

g xii l!! 'gw'l 482 462 458 34 445 F 44 464-3 1 P440 466 t 466 4 o INVENTOR.

JDHN P. KIERONSKI FIG. 5

ATTORNEY July 4, 1967 J. P. KIERONSKI 3,329,362

WINDING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 12, 1962 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 I40 I50 I52 94 me p 86 fi) I49 ea o l l I I 80 I26 I28 I30 I32 I33)l36 I34 I58 FIG. 8

INVENTOK JOHN P. KIERONSKI WKQDM ATTORNEY July 4, 1967 J. P. KIERONSKI 3,329,362

WINDING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 12, 1962 14 Sheets-Sheet 7 no I05 I00 96 98 I43 96 H6 I02 H9 I00 ll9 I03 H6 FIG. I2 FIG. I0

I43 82 I I02 H6 H0 I06 82 I02 H6 FIG.II FIG.9

INVENTOR JOHN P. KIERONSKI ATTORNEY July 4, 1967 J. P. KIERONSKI 3,329,362

WINDING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 12, 1962 14 ShGQtS-ShGBt 8 254 202 262 INVENTOR.

JOHN P. Kl FIG 3 ERONSKI ATTORNEY V July 4, 1967 WINDING MACHINE X I 200 v ,zos

INVENTOR JOHN F! KIERONSKI ATTQRNEY.v

J. P. KIERONSKI 3,329,362 v July 4, 1967 Original Filed Oct. 12, 1962 J. P. KIERONSKI WINDING MACHINE FIG. I8

14 Sheets-Sheet 1 O INVENTOR. JOHN P. KIERONSKI ATTORNEY,

July 4, 1967 .1. P. KIERONSK! WINDING MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet 11 Original Filed Oct. 12, 1962 O 2 m F INVENTOR. JOHN F? KIERONSKI FIG. 30

ATTORNEY July 4, 1967 J. P. KIERONSKI 3,329,362

WINDING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 12, 1962 14 Sheets-Sheet l2 FIG.22

FIG. 24

IN VEN TOR.

JOHN P. KIERONSKI ATTORNEY July 4, 1967 J. P. KIERONSKI 3,329,362

WINDING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 12, 1962 l4 Sheets-Sheet 13 265 INVENTOR,

2 w JOHN P KIERONSKI ATTORNEY July 4, 1967 J. P. KIERONSKI 3,

WINDING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 12, 1962 14 Sheets-Sheet 14 m GE VENTOR. JOHN P KIERONSKI N5 huw 1:.

mum umnhdmuni ZOZbDm QOm .Pww 230m Aw mun 3min Qmm mmah 0 zamom ozrsusm Non Kuhnzamom A OON 105.0! E4 own On 0mm 00m 00m 0mm OvN 0mm 00m 02 0Q 02 OE OO 0m 0w Ow ON 0 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,329,362 WINDING MACHINE John P. Kieronski, Johnston, R.I., assignor to Leesona Corporation, Warwick, R.I., a corporation of Massachusetts Original application Oct. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 230,051, now Patent No. 3,217,235, dated Nov. 9, 1965. Divided and this application Oct. 14, 1965, Ser. No. 510,420

20 Claims. (Cl. 24235.6)

This is a division of application Ser. No. 230,051, filed Oct. 12, 1962, now Patent No. 3,217,235.

The present inVentiOn relates to winding machines of the automatic type wherein yarn is wound from supply bobbins into packages and relates, more particularly, to a fully automatic apparatus for replacing an exhausted supply bobbin with a fresh supply bobbin and introducing a free end of the fresh supply bobbin for winding into a package on said winding machine.

In US. Patent 2,764,362 to William V. Goodhue et al. entitled Winding Machine and issued Sept. 25, 1956, there is disclosed and claimed a fully automatic winding machine for winding yarn or the like into various forms of packages. In essence, the machine of this patent consists of a winding section, including a winding mandrel mounted for controlled movement between a winding position, a braking position and a reverse-rotation position, and a driving drum provided with a groove to traverse the yarn being wound upon the mandrel; an endfinding and knot-tying section operable in the event of thread breakage and including a knot-tying device separa'ble means for finding the respective free ends of the broken yarn and conveying them to the knot-tier to be joined together; a preliminary yarn servicing section including means for detecting, tensioning and cleaning the yarn supplied to the mandrel; and an enclosed control section for regulating the various other sections and controlling the function thereof. It was contemplated in the machine of this patent that a reserve package of yarn would be available for introduction thereto upon exhaustion of the original supply package and means was pro vided on the yarn servicing section for holding the end of the yarn from the reserve package in a position of readiness and for changing to that end upon an indication, aiforded by other means on the servicing section, that the original supply had run out. However, no provision was made there for transferring the reserve package from reserve to active unwinding position, or conversely, for transferring the exhausted package from active position to a discharge station where it could be removed. Instead, the yarn packages were mounted in a fixed position and, since either package had to be capable of serving as the active supply, the positions thereof necessarily represented a compromise between the most satisfactory position for the active package, i.e., with its axis in close alignment with the path of the yarn to the winding mandrel, and the most satisfactory position for the reserve package, spaced from the active package to avoid interference there with but, nevertheless, accessible for servicing. Further, no means was provided for automatically locating the yarn end of the reserve package in position to be retrieved for joinder to the free end of the package being wound on the mandrel.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a winding apparatus having a self-activating yarn supply mechanism, which mechanism is adapted to discharge the exhausted supply package, index a fresh supply from a reserve position to an active unwinding position and, thereupon, automatically present a free end of the reserve supply package for joinder into the winding operation.

" Ice Another object of the present invention is to provide a winding machine having a self-activating yarn supply indexing mechanism capable of establishing a free yarn end of the reserve supply package for ready introduction into the winding operation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a winding machine having a self-activating yarn supply indexing mechanism wherein the sequential steps of detection of exhaustion of the yarn supply of a first package, ejection of said first package, loading of a fresh supply package from a reserve location, establishment of a free end from said fresh supply package, and introduction of said free end into the winding operation are carried out completely automatically and as one continuous operation.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a self-activating yarn supply indexing mechanism employing pneumatic means for removal from the outer yarn end of the reserve supply package and introducing it for uniting with takeup package outer yarn end.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a winding machine having a self-activating yarn supply indexing mechanism which has means for retaining a plurality of yarn supply packages in reserve and means for presenting each of said reserve supply packages individually into unwinding position.

These and further objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational View of an automatic I winding machine incorporating a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational View of the winding machine of FIG. 1, certain parts thereof being omitted, and illustrating the yarn carrier in the loading position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, certain parts being omitted, illustrating the yarn carrier in its active unwinding position;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines IVIV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along lines V-V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the winding machine and illustrating the bobbin magazine in its operative relationship therewith;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the bobbin magazine;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the bobbin magazine of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, of parts for controlling the operation of the bobbin magazine;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view corresponding to FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view corresponding generally to FIG. 8 but illustrating the parts in a different position;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view corresponding to FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional View taken along lines XIIIXIII of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are views similar to FIG. 13 but illustrating the parts in different positions;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged sectional view showing the air motor and related elements for operating the inflatable arbor;

FIG. 17 is a view taken along lines XVII-XVII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is an elevational view of the yarn carrier with parts removed to illustrate the bobbin ejecting mechanism in its inoperative position;

FIG. 19 is a view corresponding to FIG. 18 but illustrating the parts in a difierent position;

FIG. is an enlarged detailed view, partly in section, of the clutching mechanism for indexing the yarn carrier;

FIG. 21 is a detailed plan view in section illustrating the bobbin centering mechanism of the present-invention;

FIG. 22 is a view taken along lines XXIIXXII of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a view corresponding to FIG. 21 but shows the parts in a different position;

FIG. 24 is a view taken along lines XXIV-XXIV of FIG. 23;

FIGS. 25 through 29 are schematic perspective views showing in sequence the position of the reserve bobbin as it gravitates onto the inflatable arbor;

FIG. 30 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the winding machine illustrating details of the suction operating mechanism; and FIG. 31 is a time chart showing the time relationship of various operations of the present invention.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION From a broad or general point of view the present invention may be characterized in the following manner. The housing of the yarn servicing section of the winding machine is supported from a bracket at the front end of the control case. The several devices which service the yarn on its way to the winding mandrel are mounted on top of this housing. Included in these elements are various guides, a combined yarn tensioning array and waxing attachment, and a yarn slub catcher. Spaced below the front end of the servicing section'housing is a supporting frame member. A plurality of concentrically arranged shafts extend between the frame member and the bottom wall of the section housing, being jonrnaled therein for independent rotation. The inner shaft is constantly driven by means of a driving connection for the lower end thereof beneath the supporting frame member, and the outermost shaft, which is normally held against rotation supports a single yarn package on a radially extending member.

Within the servicing section housing is a clutch for establishing a driving connection between the upper end of the inner shaft to rotate the normally restrained outer shaft as well as the package supported thereby, which clutch is of the semi-revolution type operated by a latch and is adapted to rotate the outer shaft a predetermined number of degrees to receivea reserve supply bobbin and, thereafter to deliver it to the active unwinding position.

A disc tension array is arranged concentrically with the yarn sensing pin. The bottom element of the disc tension array is stationary and the top element is movable along with the yarn sensing pin, and the camming clutch actuating member is so arranged that during the return portion of its cycle the sensing pin and the .top member of the disc tension array are elevated to permit the yarn to enter the array and engage the shoulder on the pin.

At the back end of the yarn servicing section top panel adjacent the control section of the winding machine is at least one slub catcher for causing rupture of the yarn in the event of an abnormal change in the diameter thereof and the slub catcher is pivotally mounted for bodily movement toward and away from the top panel. An operating arm formed integrally with the slub catcher projects downwardly into the servicing section housing, which finger isengaged through a camming latch by means of a lever arm carried on the link connecting the clutch actuating member with the yarn end-finding means, whereby movement of the links during the end-finding cycle causes the slub catcher to be pivoted to permit the supply end of yarn to be guided thereto and then returned to operative slub catching position. On the under surface of the top panel is a suction duct connected by a flexible hose to a source of suction in the control section housing, which duct communicates with a plurality of suction openings in the top cover of the yarn servicing section housing, there being one such opening adjacent each of the slub catcher and yarn sensing and tensioning device to maintain these devices free of lint, and a third which is adapted to hold the free end of yarn coming from the reserve supply package in readiness for a change-over from one supply package to another supply package.

The supply end-finding and conveying means is in the form of a curved suction tube mounted on the control section for rotation through an arc of approximately from a rest position adjacent the knotter to an endfinding position adjacent the yarn sensing and tensioning device and back again. At the end of the suction tube is a cover plate adapted to be closed by a cam provided on the service section top panel after the supply end has been drawn into the tube so as to clamp the yarn to the tube, the cover plate including cooperative knife edges to sever excess yarn and being opened at the knotter to deliver the yarn thereto.

A reserve supply bobbin magazine is located at one side of the yarn servicing section, said magazine being arranged to accommodate a plurality of fresh supply bobbins in a substantially upright position. The forward end of the magazine serves as a chamber to receive the supply bobbins one-by-one as they move forwardly in the magazine and sequentially hold each one in a readying position. A slidable plate or shelf in the floor of the chamber is shifted away to permit the bobbin to fall freely toward the supply bobbin arbor in response to actuation from translation of the yarn carrier.

The arboris supported on a yarn carrier arranged for translation about a vertical axis below the magazine. Clutch means connect the yarn carrier to a source of power upon interruption of the winding yarn whereby the yarn carrier and its associated arbor are swung approximately 180 degrees from the active unwinding position to the loading position. During this translation instrumentalities are operable to cam the exhausted bobbin off the arbor. At the loading position the fresh reserve bobbin is permitted to fall freely toward the arbor. Centering means are provided to insure location of the central bore of the bobbin on the arbor. The centering means is arranged to close about the arbor to locate the fresh bobbin and, thereafter to open freeing the arbor and yarn carrier for further translation. In response to the loading of the fresh bobbin instrumentalities are activated which return the yarn carrier, with the fresh bobbin located thereon, to the active unwinding position.

Pneumatic means are operative to control the bobbin on the arbor and to introduce a free end of the fresh supply 1 bobbin for joinder with the trailing end of a package being wound. A principal supply of air is furnished to an air valve housing arranged for rotation cooperatively with translation of the yarn carrier. A control plate operates valves within the housing block. As a fresh reserve supply bobbin is positioned on the arbor of the yarn carrier and the carrier commences its return cycle to the active unwinding position the arbor is inflated to bear fast on the inner wall of the bobbin bore and is rotated by an air driven motor operated from a valve within the housing block. During rotation of this bobbin air is forced against the lower windings of yarn on the bobbin to force them downwardly into rotating cutters to cut the lower windings and provide a free end. Thereafter, and simultaneously with the shutting off of the downward air blasts an upward air blast causes the loose end of the supply bobbin to be blown upward. A jet of air directed against the upper tip of the bobbin restrains the upper wraps of yarn on the bobbin from sloughing off. The upward air flow conveys the loose yarn end into a bonnet which guides the end into the suction opening in the top panel of the yarn servicing section for retrieval by the swingable suction tube, already alluded to. Air being directed into the air motor is advantageously vented adjacent the cutters on the yarn carrier. A stationary suction hole receives the clipping produced by the cutters, which clippings are blown thereto by the vented air.

As the supply bobbin on the yarn carrier reaches its active unwinding position the air motor vent is closed. This serves to stop rotation of the arbor rapidly but to keep the arbor inflated for securing the bobin in position for unwinding. Upon exhaustion of the active unwinding bobbin the air motor is vented to release the bobbin for subsequent ejection and the air supply to the motor is shut off almost simultaneously therewith preparatory to reloading of a fresh bobbin after which the cycle is repeated.

Main elements of the winding unit Before commencing the detailed description of the drawings, it should be brought out that while the invention is capable of adaptation to various types of winding machines, it was specially designed for use in the fully automatic machine of U.S. Patent 2,764,362 and is shown in association with the control section of that machine. However, only so much of the unmodified structure of that machine has been set forth in the drawing as is necessary to an understanding of the relationship between that unmodified structure and the structure of the invention. It will also be appreciated that while the present illustrations and descriptions have been and will be confined to the structure situated at a single winding position, the commercial form of a complete winding machine embodying the invention will more often be of the gang type in which a plurality of assemblies will be mounted upon a common frame to wind a plurality of strands of yarn and will be driven from a common source of power.

Moreover, in the commonly assigned patent application of Thomas E. Pitts et al. entitled Automatic Supply Package Indexing Mechanism for Winding Machines S.N. 30,346 filed May 19, 1960 there is disclosed and claimed a self-initiating supply package indexing mechanism for winding machines, particularly of the fully automatic type covered by the aforesaid U.S. Patent 2,764,362. Certain features of the structure of that application are set forth herein. Briefly, in accordance with the invention of that application an active yarn supply package is disposed on a carrier at the supply end of the winding machine. In turn, the carrier is arranged to rotate about a vertical axis to present a reserve supply package for unwinding in the event the yarn on the active supply package should become exhausted or break. The means for initiating rotation of the carrier of the present invention being generally akin to this disclosed in said application S.N. 30,346, it is not deemed necessary to recite that means in detail herein. However, so much of the unaltered structure of that invention will be presented herein as is deemed necessary to a complete understanding of the present invention. In order to facilitate a correlation between the present invention and the remainder of the machine as described in the aforesaid U.S. Patent 2,764,362 and United States patent application S.N. 30,346, the unmodified components thereof will be identified with the same numeric designations as are employed in said patent and application.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 30 of the drawings, the housing of the control section for the winding system consists mainly of U-shaped frame 20 comprised of a horizontally extending base 21 and upstanding sidewalls 22 and 23. Frame 20 rests upon a bed supported from the floor, part of the bed being indicated at 2. The end-finding and conveying means for the supply end of yarn projects forwardly from frame 20 and consists of an inverted, generally U-shaped tube 155, of which only the lower end portion can be seen in FIG. 30. The end of tube 155 adjacent the frame 20 is received within a sleeve 163 journaled for rotation in a bracket (not shown) which is secured to the base 21 of the frame.

Also situated in front of the frame 20 is a thread breakage lever 625 (shown in FIG. 1) extending transversely across the path of the yarn on its way to the winding section (not shown) of the machine. As is explaned in the previously identified patent, breakage lever 625, by swingin g upwardly from its depressed running position as in FIG.

1 upon interruption in the flow of the thread thereover, furnishes the machine with an indication that the thread has been broken and this indication sets into motion a sequence of operation in the course of which the endfinding means are actuated to seek out the respective ends of the broken yarns, convey them to the knot-tying means to be reunited, and set the machine again in operation. This sequence of operations may be referred to as an end-finding and tying cycle.- By means fully disclosed in the cited patent rotation of supply end-finding tube 155 by virtue of the meshing relationship with various gears, whereby tube 155 is swung from a retracted rest position adjacent the upper forward end of frame 20 and the knotter ,(not shown), downwardly and forwardly to seek out and engage the supply end of the broken thread, after which tube 155 is returned to initial position to convey this end to the knotter to be united with the end of the broken thread from the package being wound. The position of the forward end of tube 155 (shown in FIG. 1) is approximately that of the tube on its way to seek out the supply end. Tube 155 is hollow throughout its length and the bore thereof communicates with a suitable bore (not shown) which, in turn, communicates with a suction or vacuum chamber 183 extending below base 21 of frame 20.

The parts of the machine. thus far described as well as their function are precisely the same as in the previously identified U.S. Patent 2,764,362 and reference may be made to that patent for a more complete description thereof than it is possible to provide here. These parts have no essential relationship to the subject matter of the present invention and are, in fact, pertinent here primarily because of the fact that the supply end-finding means of the patented machine is a convenient source of motion for driving certain operative parts of the invention. The motivation of the parts of the invention could, of course, be accomplished independently of the end-finding means of the patented machine. In any event, the subject matter of the invention is preferably associated with the patented machine and the description thus far will at least facilitate an understanding of the preferred context in which the invention is utilized.

Turning again to FIGS. 1 and 30 of the drawing the reference numeral denominates a yarn servicing housing seen as forwardly extending from the forward extension 21a of base 21 of frame 20. This housing is generally shaped as an elongated box for enclosing certain operating elements of the winding machine and supporting others thereon. Housing 30 is generally comprised of a bottom wall 34 having an inclined rear portion 34a affixed at the rear end thereof to the forward end of frame extension 21a, and a horizontal front portion 34b, right and left wide walls 36 and 38, FIG. 6, a front Wall 40, and a top panel 42. All of the walls are formed integrally except top panel 42 which is removable in the manner of a cover. At its rear end adjacent the control section of the machine housing 30 is at least partially open to accommodate certain opening links. Top panel 42 mounts certain yarn servicing instrumentalities including a tension unit 70, a waxing attachment 75 and a slub catcher 95 for purposes as described in the afore-cited patent.

Reserve bobbin supply magazine As herein illustrated the present invention incdludes a magazine for retaining reserve supply bobbins B in position for ready transference, one by one, to a yarn carrier. Accordingly, and referring to FIG. 1, the magazine is affixed to side 38 of yarn servicing housing 30 by suitable means such as bolts, not illustrated, which pass through holes provided in a wing-like extension 89 (see FIG. 7) projecting generally forwardly from a side wall 82. In addition to wall 82 magazine 80 is comprised of .a further side wall 84 which is oppositely disposed from wall 82. The two walls are connected by a bottom wall or floor 86 and an end panel 88. Advantageously, the magazine is mounted at .a compound angleto the floor so that, in its longitudinal dimension, it inclines downwardly as it extends rearwardly toward frame 20, as seen in FIG. 1. At the same time magazine 80' is tilted somewhat forwardly, so that, in its transverse dimension, its top inclines outwardly, i.e., toward the viewer .as seen in FIG. 1. So situated, reserve bobbins B lying in a generally upright position with their longitudinal axes perpendicular to the surface of bottom wall 86, will lean against wall 82. Also, their axes incline somewhat rearward and downwardly following the alignment of floor 86 of the magazine. By the foregoing arrangement the reserve bobbins B tend to gravitate generally downwardly, that is away from end panel 88 to .a suitable position for transference to the yarncarrier. In order that the reserve bobbins will not shiftand, therefore, possibly fall over in the magazine light pressure is applied against the sides of bobbins to urge them against wall 82 by a movable plate 90 which is a hinged upward extension of wall 82 (see FIG. 6). Plate 90 is biased by a leaf spring 92 to bear on the diameter of the bobbins lying in the magazine. Plate 90 flares into a wing-like edge at 90a to facilitate easy loading of reserve bobbins in the magazine. A generally circular chamber--94 forms the forward end of the magazine 80, this chamber being defined by a relatively high wall adapted to receive one bobbin at a time in an upright position.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 12, it is desirable in the course of operation of the magazine that positive means be provided to assist that gravitational urging of succeeding reserve bobbins into chamber 94. In this connection a rod 96 which is supported in a pair of spaced brackets 98 and 99 extends longitudinally along substantially the full rear side of wall 82. An angular element or slider 100 is mounted on rod 96, the rod serving as a track along which the slider is movable. Slider 100, in turn, supports a pair of elements 102 and 104 which are joined together by a pin 105, extending through a section of slider 100, for rotation about a vertical axis, each of these elements being aligned with an elongated slot 106 and 108, respectively, in the side of wall 82 (FIGS. 9-12). A horizontally positioned U-shaped member or fpusher bar 110 is secured at its opposite terminal ends to elements 102 and v104 respectively and projects through slots 106 and 108. The main U-shaped body of the pusher bar 110 is disposed on the opposite side of wall 82 from the elements 102 and 104, i.e., projecting into the bobbin holding channel of the magazine. A flat link 112 is supported on a pin 114 embedded in the lower end of slider 100. 'Link 112 extends upwardly from its mounting pin 114 and is connected through an upwardly projecting stud 116, ailixed at the upper end of said link, to one side of element 102. Pin 114 affords limited rocking movement to link 112 for purposes to be explained hereafter. A relatively long arm 119 is connected near its upper end to link 112 by a flat-headed stud 113 which loosely passes through an extended slot 120 in arm .119 and is embedded approximately at the midpoint of the link. The distal end of arm 119 is secured for rockable movement on a post 122 suitably journaled for rotation in a tab 124 depending from wall 82 (see FIG. 7). Post 122 projects through tab 124 and mounts on its end opposite to arm 119 a short link 126 (FIG. 8) which projects essentially upwardly therefrom in a position beneath the magazine floor 86. A horizontally disposed rod 128 is attached at one of its ends to the uppermost end of the short link 126 and is connected at its other end to a one fork 130 of a bifurcated swivel member 132 rotatably supported on a stud 133 depending from floor 86. With continuing reference to FIG. 8 the opposite fork 134 of swivel member 132 mounts an anvil 136 which is pushed by means yet to be described to operate the linkage just related for actuating arm 119. A spring 138 is extended between a stud 140, pierced through the forward lower side of wall 82, and a pin 137 engaged in the upper end of link 126. So located, spring 138 biases arm 119 forwardly, or clockwise as viewed in FIG. 7, in turn causing pusher bar 110 to exert a force against the bobbins B in magazine to push them toward chamber 94. A resilient collar 142 made of rubber or the like is mounted on rod 96 between bracket 99 and slider to absorb the shock of the slider as it is thrust forward by spring 138. Similarly, a corresponding bumper 143 is located in wall 82 adjacent the opposite end of rod 96 to absorb the energy of the rearward thrust of slider 100. Further, contact of link 112 with bumper 143 during the rearward sweep of arm 119 will serve to rock the link 112 clockwise on its pivot 114 (FIG. 7) thereby swinging pusher bar outwardly perpendicular to wall 82.

As best seen in FIG. 6 a bobbin stop 144 in the form of an upstanding rib is fastened to the top of floor 86 of the magazine and extends transversely thereto immediately adjacent chamber 94. Stop 144 serves to receive the base of the forwardmost bobbin in the magazine thereagainst, thus preventing the free movement of the supply bob-bins into chamber 94. Positioned closely behind stop 144 in a longitudinal slot 145 (FIG. 8) provided in floor 86 is a segment 146 secured to a rotatable stub shaft 148 journaled at one of its ends in wall 82 and held at its opposite end in a boss 149 for rockable movement about a horizontal axis (FIG. 8). The end of stud shaft 148 projecting outwardly beyond wall 82 supports an offset arm 150 which inclines somewhat downwardly (FIG. 7) and carries a cam follower 152 at the lowermost end thereof. As will be explained shortly cam means are provided which rock arm 150 clockwise as viewed in FIG. 7. This motion rocks segment 146 upwardly causing it to contact the bottom of bobbin B and lift it upwardly for a distance, said rocked positions of the arm 150 and segment 146 being depicted by the broken lines in FIG. 7. Since the vertical throw of segment 146 is greater than the height of stop 144 the base of bobbin B will be elevated above the stop. At this point pusher bar 110 acts to push the bobbin forwardly over the stop and into chamber 94. A spring 154 (see FIG. 8) is extended between a pin 156 in the wall of chamber 94 and a pendant 158 on the inner end of stud 148 adjacent boss 149. Spring 154 serves to bias segment 146 into its inoperative position, i.e., to rotate it counterclockwise on stub shaft 148. The extent of this counterclockwise movement is limited as arm 150 contacts a screw 160 projecting into its path from the side of wall 82.

Turning again to FIGS. '1 and 6 the rear section of chamber 94 has a relatively high wall 161 which acts to contain the reserve supply bobbin received therein in essentially an upright position. In order that the bobbin, as it is transferred into chamber 94, will not inadvertently tip over a guide plate 162 is positioned atop a standard 164 affixed to the lower end of the chamber. The guide plate 162 acts to direct the bobbin vertically into chamber 94 while the bobbin is being shifted by segment 146. Guide plate 162 extends from a point approximating the upper forward terminal end of wall 82 and terminates closely adjacent one edge of wall 161. An adjustable bracket 166 serves to mount guide plate 162 on standard 164 and affords adjustment of the guide plate vertically to accommodate bobbins of varying lengths.

Advantageously, pusher bar .110 is actuated through a pushing cycle after each occurrence of a new bobbin being loaded from the main magazine channel into chamber 94. This insures that the pusher bar will always retreat behind and gather in any reserve supply bobbins which have been loaded manually into the magazine. Thus, as anvil 136 is cammed to the left as viewed in FIG. 7 by means yet to be explained arm 119 is rocked correspondingly counterclockwise carrying pusher bar 110 along therewith. In consequence of this rocking of arm 119 slider 100 and its associated elements are pushed to the rear of the magazine, i.e., to the left viewing FIG. 7. By

virtue of the fact that the arm 119 and slider 100 are connected through stud 113 and flat link 112 the initial force from the arm 119 causes link 112 to rock a slight amount about pin 114 in a counterclockwise direction, see FIGS. 7, 9 and 11. Such rotation causes elements 102, connected to link 112 by pin 116, and element 104 which is operably joined with element 102 through pin 105, to rotate clockwise from the position illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 to the position of FIGS. 11 and 12. Pusher bar 110 is thereby, in effect, collapsed against wall 82, as best seen in FIG. 12, and will slide rearwardly in the magazine without affecting the position of any upright bobbins standing therein. With the release of anvil 136 from its camming means slider 100 will have reached its rearward or retracted extreme. In this location link 112 is caused to contact bumper 143 resulting in the link being rocked forward abruptly. This causes elements 102 and 104 to pivot clockwise to the position of FIG. 10. As a consequence thereof pusher bar 110 is swung outwardly extending transversely of the channel of magaine 80 and, so arranged, will obviously engage with the rearmost bobbin B in the magazine. Spring 138 will cause pusher bar 110 to exert a continual biasing force which is transmitted through all of the bobbins and will eventually serve to push the bobbin nearest to chamber 94 over stop 144 at the appropriate time as previously related. During this forward pushing movement pusher bar 110 cannot swing away from the bobbins, that is, it cannot swing further counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 10 since element 102 is fiatted on one of its sides 103 to bear against the rear side of wall 82 when rotated to the point where pusher bar is fully extended into the path of the bobbins, see FIG. 12. However, element 102 does have a suitable radium on one corner which permits movement of the pusher bar in the quadrant from wall 82 as shown in FIG. 10 to its fully extended position as illustrated in FIG. 12. From the foregoing construction it will be appreciated that whenever arm 119 is moved counterclockwise about post 122 (FIG. 7) pusher bar 110 will assume the position of FIG. 12, i.e., collapsed against wall 82. Conversely, at such times as arm 119 is moved in the opposite direction, pusher bar 110 will be swung outwardly as shown in FIG. 10.

Yarn supply carrying means Viewing FIGS. 2 and 3 a rail 44 is situated beneath the front end of housing 30. Rail 44 constitutes a part of the frame of the machine and is held in fixed spaced relationship to the floor or other surface upon which the machine rests, the support for rail 44 and the other fixed frame member not being illustrated herein. A pedestal bearing 46 is mounted on the top surface of rail 44. A hollow, tubular and rotatable shaft 60 is journaled at its lower end in said pedestal bearing 46. At its upper end shaft 60 projects through an aperture in the horizontal portion 34b of the lower wall 34 of housing 30, a bushing 61 being interposed bet-ween the aperture edge and the shaft surface (see FIG.

A second shaft 64 extends through the length of tubular shaft 60, being held in concentric relationship therewith by means of a further bushing 66, so as to be rotatable independently of tubular shaft 60. At its lower end internal shaft 64 passes through and beyond pedestal bearing 46 and rail 44, terminating with a bevel gear 68. Depending from the lower surface of rail 44 is an arm 69 (FIGS. 18 and 19) which supports a shaft 71 for free rotation carrying at its free forward end a bevel gear 73 having meshing relationship with bevel gear 68. Shaft 71 extends rearwardly from rail 44 beneath the machine and is connected at its rear end, in a manner not illustrated, to a suitable source of power so that, during the operation of the machine, shaft 71 undergoes constant rotation, and transmits that rotation to internal shaft 64. In turn, the external shaft 60 is periodically rotated through an arc of 180 degrees by actuation from the internal shaft 64. To this end a clutch mechanism is contained within housing 1O 30 for coupling and uncoupling these two shafts, as desired, to effect the aforesaid rotation of the external shaft. Further reference to said clutch mechanisms will be made hereinafter.

The mechanism thus far described is adapted to impart translation to a carrier for yarn supply bobbins and in the course of such translation to motivate certain actions to the end that an exhausted supply bobbin may be removed from the Winding position, a fresh reserve supply bobbin positioned in its stead and the lead end of the fresh bobbin threaded into the winding machine. Accordingly, and with reference to FIGS. 1-3 and 13-15 the yarn carrying mechanism is mounted fast to tubular shaft 60 by a bracket which is secured to the diameter of shaft 60 by a pressure screw 181. Bracket v180 extends laterally from shaft 60 and is provided with a pair of horizontal steps 182 and 184 and terminates at its outermost end in a tab 186 projecting downwardly from step 184. Step 184 presents a rather broad, flat surface for supporting a generally T-shaped member 188, FIGS. 13-15. The central leg 190 of member 188 has a pair of oppositely disposed elongated slots therein as at 191 and 192 through each of which is passed a broad-headed clamping screw 193 and 194, the screws 193 and 194 being threaded into the top surface of step 184. Member 188 may thereby be adjusted relative to step 184 within the limits of slots 191 and 192, the screws 193 and 194 acting to secure the member in a selected position.

In practice with the present invention it is desirable that means he provided to rotate the supply bobbin. Thus, with reference to FIGS. 13-15, an air motor 200 is held fast to a valve block 202 the valve block, in turn, being attached to tab 186 by screws 203. As shown in FIG. 17 air motor 200 is provided with a central cavity 204 which receives a plurality of air vanes 206, here illustrated as four vanes equidistantly oriented around a circular body 207. The body 207 is offset from cavity 204 so that air may be received in the cavity for rotating the vanes. An upstanding spindle 208 (FIG. 16), having an axial bore 210 through generally the upper half thereof, is held fast to the circular body 207 and supported in suitable bearings for cooperation rotation therewith. A cap 212 is fitted over the upper terminal point of spindle 208 and held in place by screw 213. Cap 212 extends upwardly from spindle 208, projecting beyond the horizontal level of member 188, and has a central passage therethrough at 214 communicating with bore 210 and terminating in a pair of radial apertures 215.

As seen in FIG. 16 cap 212 includes an upper section of reduceddiameter. This upper section is enclosed by an inflatable arbor 220 comprised of an expandable, airtight diaphragm 218 and a surrounding hood 222. Diaphragm 218 is sealed to cap 212 to prevent any air leakage therebetween. Hood 222, in turn, encloses diaphragm 218 and is held in position by a screw 223 engaged in the upper end of cap 212. In order that the inflatable arbor 220 may be operable to engage a bobbin, hood 222 thereof is provided with a plurality of elongated chordal slots 224 located equidistantly around its circumference. 'Each slot 224 affords an aperture through which a section of diaphragm 218 may be distended outwardly under air pressure. Thus, it follows that a bobbin which is placed with its internal bore on the inflatable arbor 220 will be secured by the frictional gripping of those portions of diaphragm 218 which have been expanded beyond the circumferential bounds of hood 222 and into contact with the bobbin. It will be apparent that, desirably, the internal bore of the bobbin should be of such diameter to conform closely to the outer diameterof inflatable arbor 220 to afford maximum gripping pressure thereon. At the same time, it is desirable that the bobbin be movable freely down onto arbor 220' under its own'weight for rapid positioning thereon.

Valve block 202 has been described previously as being secured to tab 186 of bracket 180, and being connected in air tight relationship with air motor 200 at one side thereof. Block 202 is provided with a series of rotatable tapered valves and connecting air passages for regulating the rotation of spindle 208 and its connected components. To this end a main air intake port arranged with a suitable fitting is provided at 228 (FIG. 17). This port, in turn, is connected through passage 229 with a tapered rotatable valve 230. Valve 230 has a generally T-shaped orifice therethrough including a short straight passage 232 extending part way through the valve and interconnected with a transverse passage 233 which projects completely through the valve. The valve 230 is adapted to be turned so that transverse passage 233 may be aligned with one of a pair of oppositely located passages 234 or 236 in valve block 202. The straight passage 232 communicates with an aperture 238 in the wall of air motor 200, see FIG. 16. Aperture 238, in turn, connects with an air inlet 240 for admitting air from intake 228 to central passage thus providing air to the interior of arbor 220 from radial openings 215. The arbor may thus be inflated to bear against and firmly hold supply bobbin B.

Passage 234, previously referred to as being under the control of valve 230', joins with an air passage 242 along the intermediate run of said passage 242, while, in like manner passage 236 unites with an air passage 244 oppositely .from passage 242. Air passage 242 opens at one of its ends into air cavity 204. A rotatable valve 246 is interposed between passage 232 andthe terminus of passage 242 remote from cavity 204. Valve 246 is provided with a transverse bore extending therethrough to admit air from passage 242 to an escape passage 248 connecting with a discharge duct 250.

Passage 244 connects into air cavity 204 at one of its ends and joins with discharge passage 250 at its opposite end. A rotatable valve 252 having a transverse hole therethrough which may be rotated into alignment with passage 244 is disposed in said passage between passage 236 and passage 250. An exhaust valve 254 is positioned in dis- 1 charge passage 250 and has a bore therein capable of rotation to control the emission of air from cavity 204. Advantageously, each of the valves 230, 246, 252 and 254 are provided with means such as a suitable slotted head to afford manually rotation thereof. Additionally, and for purposes that will be more fully explained hereafter, exhaust valve 254 has a depending stem 256 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which penetrates through the bottom of block 202. A star wheel 258 having four equidistant radially projecting fingers is held fast on the lower end of stem 256. During translation of the yarn carrier star wheel 258 is rotated automatically and alternately by trip dogs 255 and 257 (FIGS. 1 and 4) adjustably connected to a rod 259 supported in rail 44 of the machine to control the movement of exhaust valve 254.

In order that the direction of spindle rotation may be controlled through the valve 230 said valve is rotated to direct the air admitted from port 228 either to passage 242 or 244, the particular direction thereby controlling the side -'of cavity 204 which will eventually receive the air. If valve 230 is rotated to align short passage 232 with passage 234 air will be directed to passage 242, and, in turn, to cavity 220 in a manner to propel the air vanes 206 and spindle 208 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 17. Under this arrangement valve 246 would be closed to force the air into the cavity and valve 252 would be open to permit the air to-be exhausted through passage 244, valve 252, duct 250 and valve 254. Conversely, if the spindle 208 is desired to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 17) valve 230 would be rotated so that air which is transmitted thereto would pass out passage 232 to passages 236 and 244 and into the opposite side of cavity 220 from that previously described in connection with the opposite rotation. Valve 252 would be closed to prevent escape of air thereby and valve 246 would be opened. The air which was forced into the cavity 220 would thereupon be exhausted through passages 242 and 12 248 and out through duct 250. Valve 254 would, of course, be open to permit the air to escape. Through the foregoing advantageous arrangement the direction of rotation for bobbin B may be determined to satisfy the particular requirements for unwinding thereof.

Air motor 200 has been described as being situated closely adjacent to the outer end of member 188. As seen, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 3 the inflatable arbor 220 projects upwardly above member 188 in a position to receive a bobbin thereon. A bar 260 is slidable on a pair of bolts 262 pierced through the outer terminal ends of member 188. Bar 260 mounts a freely rotatable cutter wheel 263 approximately midway therealong, the cutter wheel 263 having a tapered peripheral edge for contacting the outside diameter of hood 222 of inflatable arbor 220. In a similar manner a pair of companion cutter wheels 264 and 265 possessing tapered outer edges are supported for free rotation on member 188, the cutter wheels 264 and 265 being somewhat spaced to avoid undesired rubbing one with the other but each contacting hood 222 of inflatable arbor 220. Advantageously, hood 222 may be provided with a sleeve or band 266 of tool steel or the like adjacent its lower edge which provides a wear and cutting surface against which the cutter wheels may bear and from which said wheels may be frictionally rotated. It will be seen that bar 260 can be adjusted along bolts 262 to present cutter wheel 263 against sleeve 266 on hood 263 for rotation therewith. Similarly, member 188 is adjustable along step 184 to position the two further cutter wheels 264 and 265 against generally the opposite side of hood 263 for driving contact against sleeve 266.

Additionally, it is to be noted that the three cutter wheels 263, 264 and 265, and sleeve 266 act as alternative stops on which a bobbin mounted on arbor 220 can rest. Should a bobbin be of extremely close fit on the arbor, i.e., if the internal diameter of the bobbin at its lower end corresponds very closely to the outside diameter of hood 222, the bobbin will sit on a sleeve 266. If it occurs that the internal bobbin diameter is of such size that passes beyond sleeve 266, the cutter wheels act to stop its downward movement past the arbor.

Bobbin balloon control and ejector The conjunction with the means for rotating the yarn supply bobbin there is provided means for controlling the yarn balloon during unwinding, said means also being adapted to assist in ejecting the exhausted bobbin. To this end there is afiixed on tubular shaft 60 at a point spaced upwardly from bracket a further bracket 274, see FIGS. 18 and 19 having a horizontally disposed arm 276. The arm 276 is bifurcated so as to provide a pair of branches 277 and 278 which project laterally spanning a vertical plane passing through the axis of inflatable arbor 220 (FIG. 4). Midway along the branches 277 and 278 each is provided with a horizontally arranged post 280 which projects inwardly and are loosely received in opposite sides of a ring 282. Ring 282 provides a mounting for an elongated balloon restraining tube 284 which is encircled by an attached tapered collar 286 which is of suflicient external diameter to snugly fit within ring 282. An air channel 288 extends the full length of tube 284 for conducting a stream of air in a manner to be explained. A pair of spring clips 290 are connected to ring 282 and are arranged to snap onto collar 286 and firmly seat it on its tapered diameter within said ring. Tube 284, preferably constructed of plastic or the like, is of such internal diameter as to closely surround a bobbin carrying a full supply of yarn in spaced concentric relationship. In this fashion tube 284 controls the ballooning of a bobbin while yarn is unwound therefrom. In the vertical direction, tube 284 projects upwardly from collar 286 and below the collar extending over the major length of the bobbin, but terminating at a level spaced slightly above the lower bobbin extreme and above arbor 220. 

1. MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY SUPPLYING BOBBINS TO A WINDING MACHINE FOR WINDING YARN FROM SAID SUPPLY BOBBINS ONTO A TAKE-UP PACKAGE, SAID MECHANISM COMPRISING A MOVABLE CARRIER ADAPTED TO SUPPORT AN ACTIVE SUPPLY BOBBIN AT AN UNWINDING POSITION WHERE YARN IS WITHDRAWN THEREFROM FOR DELIVERY TO SAID TAKE-UP PACKAGE, MEANS FOR DETECTING AN INTERRUPTION IN THE FLOW OF YARN FROM SAID SUPPLY BOBBIN, DRIVE MEANS ACTUATED IN RESPONSE TO SAID DETECTING MEANS FOR MOVING SAID CARRIER TO A LOADING POSITION WHEREBY SAID ACTIVE SUPPLY BOBBIN IS REPLACED WITH A RESERVE SUPPLY BOBBIN, SAID DRIVE MEANS BEING OPERABLE TO MOVE THE CARRIER WITH THE RESERVE BOBBIN THEREON TO SAID UNWINDING POSITION, MEANS OPERATIVE AFTER SAID RESERVE BOBBIN IS IN PLACE ON SAID CARRIER TO ROTATE SAID RESERVE BOBBIN ABOUT ITS AXIS RELATIVE TO SAID CARRIER, MEANS FOR ACTING ON THE PERIPHERY OF SAID BOBBIN WHILE ROTATING TO WITHDRAW A FREE YARN END OF SAID RESERVE BOBBIN, AND MEANS FOR UNITING THE FREE END WITH AN END FROM SAID TAKE-UP PACKAGE. 